Côrpsē, n.

n. [Lat. corpus, body, Fr. & Pr. corps, O. Fr. & Pr. cors, O. Sp., Pg., & It. corpo, N. Sp. cuerpo. Cf. CORPS.] 1. A human body in general, whether living or dead; — sometimes contemptuously. [Obs.] But naked, without needful vestiments To clad his corpse with meet habiliments, He cared not for dint of sword or spear. Spenser. 2. The dead body of a human being. [Formerly written corps.] Corpse candle. (a.) A thick candle formerly used at a liche-wake, or the customary watching with a corpse on the night before its interment. (b.) A luminous appearance, resembling the flame of a candle, sometimes seen in church-yards and other damp places, superstitiously regarded as portending death. — Corpse-gate, the gate of a burial-place through which the dead are carried, often having a covered porch; — called also liche-gate.